Dara Singh Randhawa

Biography

Dara Singh Randhawa (born Deedar Singh Randhawa; 19 November 1928 – 12 July 2012) was an Indian professional wrestler, actor, director and politician. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of India.

He worked as a Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director, and writer, and he acted in films and television. His role as Hanuman in the film Bajrangbali (1976) and Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan made him popular. Singh was inducted into the Legacy Category of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

In 1951, Dara Singh lost a match in Greeco Roman Style with Brahmdev Mishra of Gorakhpur in a stadium located at Dahrmtalla Maidan Calcutta.

Singh was the owner of Dara Studio in Mohali, District Mohali, Punjab. Dara Film Studio was founded in 1978. The studio was operational from 1980 as a film studio.

Singh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in January 1998. He became the first sportsperson to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha – the upper house of the Parliament of India. He served in that role between 2003 and 2009. He was also president of the Jat Mahasabha.

Singh was admitted into Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on 7 July 2012 following a massive heart attack. Two days later, it was confirmed that he had brain damage due to the lack of blood flow. He was discharged from the hospital on 11 July 2012, citing that nothing could be done to prolong his life, and died the next day at his home in Mumbai. He was cremated at Juhu Crematorium.